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Information & Dispatch Guidelines

  • Air medical transportation should be considered for all victims of acute trauma requiring advanced life support transportation to a trauma or burn center where the extrication and ground transport time would exceed twenty minutes. (External Link: Please refer to the Adult Trauma Triage Protocol)
  • NorthSTAR may be requested by any public safety agency (Law Enforcement, EMS, Fire) or private citizen by contacting REMCS at 1-800-332-HELO (4356).  A specially trained air-medical dispatcher will assist with the request.
  • When contacting REMCS, the following information should be immediately available:
Requesting Agency Name
Contact Name and Phone
Incident Location
Type of Incident or Nature of Injury
Number/Age of Victims
Location of Landing Zone with Cross Streets
Landing Zone Coordinates
Contact Frequency/PL
Agency Name or Unit of Landing Zone Coordinator
Type of request "Stand-by" or "Go"
  • When NorthSTAR is requested, a request shall also be made for a ground MICU/ALS unit to respond.
  • REMCS serves as the dedicated air-medical communications center for New Jersey.  All air-medical requests from all locations within the state must be directed to REMCS.  Should a JEMSTAR aircraft be unable to accommodate the request, REMCS will attempt to arrange a local mutual-aid medevac unit to handle the request.

Weather Requirements

NorthSTAR abides by strict weather requirements to ensure the safety of the flight crew, aircraft, and patient.  Weather requirements are based primarily on ceiling and visibility.  Prior to each flight, the current conditions within the requested flight path will be reviewed by the NorthSTAR pilots.  While attempts are made to accommodate every request, the final discretion on accepting flights is based on safety and resides with the ranking New Jersey State Police pilot in charge.

  • Basic Weather Requirements for NorthSTAR:
Day - Minimum Visibility: 2 nautical miles, Minimum Ceiling: 800 feet
Night - Minimum Visibility: 3 nautical miles, Minimum Ceiling: 1000 feet

Landing Zone Requirements

  • Landing Zones should be at least 110 feet by 110 feet, level, firm, dry, and free of debris
  • Landing Zone approach should be free of any nearby obstructions (power lines, poles, trees, etc.)
  • Landing Zone should be secured by law enforcement and clear of any vehicle or pedestrian traffic
  • All personnel, vehicles, and apparatus should be kept at least 100 feet from the perimeter of the LZ
  • The corners of the landing zone should be marked with brightly colored cones, lights, or vehicles
  • Use of flares for marking landing zones is discouraged unless extreme care is used in their anchoring
  • Halogen rotators or flashers on public safety vehicles are best for marking landing zones when possible.  Excessive use of strobes or spotlights is discouraged.
  • During wet or winter conditions, landing zones should be on paved or concrete surfaces and cleared of excess snow/ice if possible
  • Landing zones not meeting these requirements or those appearing unsafe may be rejected by the pilots

Aircraft Safety Requirements

  • NEVER SHINE LIGHTS AT AIRCRAFT.  This includes spotlights, flashlights, strobes, and flash photography.  This can distract and/or blind the pilots.
  • NEVER APPROACH AIRCRAFT WHILE ROTORS ARE MOVING.  A member of the NorthSTAR flight crew will escort all personnel to and from the aircraft when the rotors have completely stopped.
  • NEVER APPROACH THE AIRCRAFT AT ANY TIME WITHOUT ESCORT OR BY INSTRUCTION OF FLIGHT CREW.  The aircraft should only be approached with caution from either side in full view of the pilot.  The rotors may move without warning and will cause serious bodily injury.  Approaching from the rear is prohibited at all times.
  • SMOKING IS PROHIBITED within 300 feet of the aircraft and perimeter of the landing zone.
  • Safety glasses, helmets, and other available PPE should be worn at all times.  Debris may be picked up and thrown by rotor wash.  Extreme caution should be used in vicinity of landing zone.
  • All loose items should be secured before approaching aircraft
  • Arms and intravenous lines should never be raised above shoulder height
  • All other instructions given by Flight Crew or State Police shall be followed

Related Links: NorthSTAR Home | Interfacility Critical Care | Public Outreach

 

 
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